People in the news - Jan 2013

Chad Orzel, associate professor and chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department,published an invited review article in the Comments on Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics series in the journal Physica Scripta. "Searching for New Physics Through Atomic, Molecular and Optical Precision Measurements," describes a number of experiments that are searching for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.

Richard Wilk, professor of mechanical engineering, has been appointed chair of the Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council. SCEAC advises the county legislature and provides a liaison between the community and county government on issues related to environmental quality and natural resources.

Jordan Hastings ’13 participated in a post-graduation alumni panel at his alma mater, Cambridge Central School in Cambridge, N.Y. Hastings spoke about the freedom of college and how students should create a working structure for staying organized to be successful after high school.

Chief Information Officer Ellen Borkowski has been appointed chair of the 2013 EDUCAUSE Professional Development Committee. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit that works to advance higher education through information technology.

The Artists in Music Awards have nominated Jermaine Wells’s band, Ill Funk Ensemble, for Best R&B/Soul Artist. AIM’s mission is to entertain, recognize and represent some of the finest emerging music artists from around the world. The award ceremony will take place on Feb. 7 in Hollywood, and people can vote for the group by clicking here. Wells is the media coordinator for academic and special events.

Carin Perilloux, visiting assistant professor of psychology, led a discussion on “Sexual Misperception: She’s Just Not That Into You,” at Binghamton University. The talk focused on her research on the conflict of the sexes and physical attractiveness.

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, co-authored an article in the Wall Street Journal. Chabris, along with his research partner Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois, discussed popular neuromyths, including how humans use only 10 percent of their brains. Click here to see an additional story about Chabris on stage with rapper and playwright Baba Brinkman in New York City's SoHo Playhouse.

John Garver, professor of geology, was awarded a $26,666 grant from the Keck Geology Consortium to support his research project with a colleague from Carleton College. The grant continues to fund a multi-year project focused on understanding the tectonic evolution of the Chugach-Prince William terrane in south central Alaska. Also, Garver was recently featured in a Times Union story regarding Mohawk River flooding. As part of the state’s Mohawk River committee, he reviewed the federal government’s plan to mitigate flooding along eight river dams along a 40-mile stretch of the Erie Canal.

Research by Cay Anderson-Hanley, associate professor of psychology, was featured in The Scientist magazine. In pilot studies, she found that patients with autism spectrum disorders performed better on cognitive tests and showed less disruptive behavior after playing exercise games like "Dance, Dance Revolution."

**Special note for winter term: To submit your items to People in the news, email Phil Wajda at wajdap@union.edu.